The GDL is essentially the vast bulk of a degree crammed into one year’s worth of studying. Knowing how to navigate through a year of dense legal learning as soon as possible is essential to surviving.
I still remember receiving a delivery of textbooks needed for the GDL: 23 thick books in a suitcase sized box arrived at my door. I almost staggered under the weight of it! Almost every module had three books to look through before each tutorial, along with attending lectures. I gradually came to the realisation that there is a smarter way of studying. So, here are my tips to help you work smart – as well as working hard!
Work out how you will be assessed – and study accordingly
Different modules are assessed in different ways. Most will use problem question structures to assess you, with a few exceptions: essays on constitutional law and multiple choice questions on EU. However, this is not always how the tutors will teach you. You’ll be taught by some in a more academic style that you might be used to from your university days.
This is all well and good, and will add to a well-rounded legal knowledge. But it is not directly relevant to answering problem questions and essay questions. For that, you will need to work out exactly which pieces of information you will need to know, how to present them, and which authorities to refer to support your answer. Answering such questions can often follow a set format. Happily, at Law Answered we have already done much of that work for you – check out our GDL Answered Core Guide if you want to get straight to the point of what you need to know.
Go to your lectures and tutorials
You won’t pass the GDL if you skip lectures and tutorials. At the very minimum, you’ll need to prepare ahead of lectures and tutorials as well as simply attending them. Repetition of a topic, whether through hearing it several times, thinking about it over several days or writing sets of notes, is key to learning. You’ll need the basic legal understanding of a topic before you can think about how to prepare the best exam answer (and it’s for that reason that we recommend GDL Answered is used as a study aid alongside your own learning). There aren’t too many shortcuts – you need to put the work in as well!
Practice, practice, practice
Once you’ve learned the legal basics, an excellent way to prepare is by practising past papers. Get your hands on as many past papers as you can to understand how certain topics are examined and how you can best answer. Take advantage of all opportunities to get feedbacks from your tutors on how best to answer mock assessments.
Other ways to broaden your knowledge
Stuck on a commute? Bored at home? Use this dead time to improve your learning through an alternative means. Rather than just staring at your notes again and hoping it will go in, try listening to a podcast. There are plenty of podcasts that are directly relevant to your studies but also plenty that are indirectly relevant – think of it as an opportunity to broaden your business knowledge, your understanding of current affairs and work on your commercial awareness, by simply listening to something interesting.
Keep your career goals in mind
It is very easy to get caught up in the academic aspects of the GDL course. But remember why you are studying. If you are intending to become a solicitor but have not yet secured a training contract, make sure you don’t just study. Set aside time for law fairs and vacation scheme applications. Research and apply to a select list of firms in good time – do not leave it until the last minute to get your applications in.
Use your law school’s facilities
The GDL is expensive – and if you haven’t been lucky enough to get a training contract, one of the things you are paying for is the careers and skills services at your law school. So use them! Skills workshops, talks with careers advisors, CV workshops, training contract application reviews, even additional study options and modules. Competition to get a training contract is intense, so get your money’s worth.
Look after yourself
Life does not always go to plan, and the GDL already takes up enough of it. There may be times when you fall behind with your work or studies or let stress get you down. Try to recognise when you’re under too much stress so that you can get back on track. Talk to your tutor, law school support staff, or friends and family about your feelings. Remember also that many other students with you will be in the same boat. Make sure to put aside time during the day to reset – go for a coffee, a short walk, the gym or a lunch break – these will all help clear your head and keep you on track.
Good luck!